NEPAL: IRRIGATION CONSULTANT (GROUNDWATER IRRIGATION)

NEPAL: IRRIGATION CONSULTANT (GROUNDWATER IRRIGATION)

INTRODUCTION

GGGI Nepal is implementing the project “Building Climate Resilience and Reintegrating Economically Displaced Workers through Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) in the Terai Flood Plain” in 10 selected municipalities of Dhanusha and Mahottari districts in Madhesh Province from June 2022 to December 2025. The project aims to support widespread adoption of climate-smart agriculture to reduce vulnerability and improve food and job security, especially for women and returned migrant workers. The project is funded by Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and is implemented by GGGI in partnership with Good Neighbours International (GNI) Nepal.

The project is being implemented in Kamala, Sabaila, Mithila Bihari, Janaknandini and Mukhiyapatti Musaharniya municipalities of Dhanusha district and Matihani, Mahottari, Sonama, Balwa and Bhangaha municipalities of Mahottari district.

One of the outputs of the CSA project is Output 1.2: Local governments plan, adopt and implement climate-smart agriculture. Under Output 1.2, CSA project supports to develop Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) plan of municipalities, ensures the CSA plan is adopted by municipalities as well as support in implementation of CSA measures and public work to build resilience for farming communities.

PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The project municipalities in the project area face challenges related to water management, including erratic rainfall patterns, water scarcity, and inefficient irrigation systems. Municipalities have urged GGGI to invest in irrigation due to drought and inadequate infrastructure, highlighting the issue's significance for agriculture. To address the irrigation challenges and support the Madesh province's objective of ensuring year-round irrigation, GGGI plans to implement the construction of shallow tube wells and medium boring systems across ten municipalities in the Dhanusha and Mahottari districts of the province.

GGGI is hiring a consultant to provide on-site technical support at the GGGI Project Implementing Office in Janakpur, Nepal. The Consultant will support and supervise the construction of GW irrigation schemes (shallow tubewell and medium boring) construction related activities planned under output 1.2. The consultant will work under the guidance of Agriculture Associate, Senior Project Coordination Officer and Program Management Officer to ensure that the outputs delivered align with project KPIs.

INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS

The consultant will work closely with the GGGI Project Implementing Office in Janakpur, Madhesh Province of Nepal.

• GGGI Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) Project team.
• Service provider for Groundwater (GW) Irrigation Schemes construction.
• The officials: Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Chief Administrative Officer, Agriculture Officer, Planning Officer, ward chairpersons etc.
• GNI/Aashman Nepal field technical staff
• Farmers groups of CSA project.

SCOPE OF WORK

The consultancy service under this TOR is targeted to support the CSA project team in technical backstopping and supervision of GW irrigation schemes construction related activities under Output 1.2. The major objectives of the assignments are:

• Identify and select approximately 200 water user groups (WUG) from 120 farmer group under CSA project for the installation of shallow tubewell and medium boring as indicated by the need assessment for GW irrigation report and in consultation with GNI/Aashman Nepal field staff and municipal/ward officials.
• Technical inspection of the equipment and materials used for the installation of irrigation schemes.
• Prepare detailed installation plan of GW irrigation schemes in consultation with the service provider.
• Supervise and carry out quality control during installment of GW irrigation and other infrastructure and submit reports to the respective supervisor of the Activity.
• Verify bills, receipts, daily labor use log sheet and other related documents/reports submitted by the service provider for payment request.
• Facilitate and coordinate community mobilization including formation of WUG and their capacity strengthening for scheme installation.
• Orient WUG on repair and maintenance of GW irrigation schemes in coordination with the service provider and establish repair and maintenance fund.
• Support WUG in preparation of repair and maintenance plan and its implementation.
• Support to prepare completion report of the irrigation schemes and share with the GGGI Nepal CSA project team.
• Maintain the detail database regarding number of irrigation schemes completed, type, GPS points, command area, no of beneficiary HHs, date of start and completion, handover details, crop production etc.
• Evaluate and analyze the benefits of GW irrigation schemes and their impact on the community after the installation.
• Regular coordination with the municipal and ward officials, monitoring and handover the schemes after completion.
• Accompany project team to meetings and field visits to support and learn when required.
• Participate and contribute to technical discussions related to irrigation, agriculture, and relevant sectors.
• Carry out other communication, documentation, data collection, field visits and monitoring in response to quality delivery of activities under Output 1.2.

OUTPUT/REPORTING REQUIREMENTS/DELIVERABLES

The consultant shall deliver irrigation-related activities under output 1.2 in the annual work plan 2024. The consultant in consultation with the Agriculture Associate and GGGI team needs to prepare the workplan and set the output and delivery time.

The proposed activities and tentative timelines for the deliverables are:

The consultant will be provided with necessary support (communication and coordination with municipalities, stakeholders and beneficiaries, joint field visits, organizing events, contents, methodology of orientations etc.) by GGGI Janakpur team.

Consultant may request to visit project municipalities frequently. Total payments, including fees, expenses, VAT and other taxes and any other payment, to the Individual Consultant under this Contract shall not exceed the Maximum Amount. No other additional payments will be provided by GGGI and all the expenses for local travel, airfare, lodging, food, accommodation, and communication shall be covered by the above-mentioned amount. The consultant is responsible for managing his/her travel to the field and program sites as per the requirement to deliver the targets.

REQUIREMENTS

(1) QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in agricultural engineering, civil engineering, irrigation, hydrology, or any other equivalent field of study with minimum of 3 years field-based experience in GW irrigation schemes installation and supervision. Diploma (Sub engineer) with 6 years of relevant experience in GW irrigation schemes installation and supervision can be considered.
• Working experience for technical backstopping, supervision and monitoring of GW irrigation schemes (shallow tubewell and medium boring) installation, especially in Madhesh province.
• Experience in community awareness, capacity building and mobilization for shallow tubewell and medium boring schemes installation.
• Experience in repair and maintenance training to user groups, repair and maintenance fund establishment and preparation of sustainability plan.
• Good command of spoken and written English and Nepali languages. Knowledge of Maithili, Hindi or other local languages of Madhesh Province will be an added advantage.
• Should have good computer literacy in standard Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook).
• A valid license with own motorbike/vehicle will have an added advantage.
• Residents of Madhesh province will be prioritized.

(2) FUNCTIONAL

The consultant should have knowledge and experience regarding the GW irrigation, installation process of shallow tubewell and medium boring, technical specification of the material and equipment use, experience working with local government, ground water irrigation department and other relevant stakeholders. The consultant should have sound knowledge and experience regarding community mobilization end engagement for installation works and agriculture farming, irrigation schemes repair and maintenance training to community people, and preparation of compiled database, scheme handover, and completion reports.

(3) DOCUMENTS TO BE SUBMITTED

• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• A cover letter.
• Scan copies of academic qualifications and previous job experiences into one file.

(4) NOTES

The consultant is expected to work from the GGGI Project Implementing office in Janakpur and follow the GGGI working hours.

Apply Here